Washington:
A US judge has issued a ruling that has stirred significant controversy, mandating that former President Donald Trump remove his name from the front of the iconic Kennedy Centre in Washington. This decision has led Trump to distance himself from what he calls the “failing institution,” claiming he is relinquishing control back to Congress.
The court case centered around the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, which was named by Congress in 1964 to honor the late President John F. Kennedy. Judge Christopher Cooper, who presided over the case, ruled that the centre’s board, which included Trump as chairman and several loyalists, exceeded its authority by renaming the institution after the sitting president.
In his 94-page opinion, Cooper emphasized that the original statute clearly defined the Kennedy Centre’s name and structure. He noted that Congress had specifically ensured no other memorial-like dedication would be added to the centre’s public spaces. “Congress gave the Kennedy Centre its name, and only Congress can change it,” he wrote.
The judge also rejected the board’s decision earlier this year to close the performing arts centre for a multi-year renovation. This move, which had been hinted at by Trump, was seen as a way to avoid cancellations and declining visitor numbers following his leadership of the institution. Cooper criticized the board for making an “ill-informed and seemingly preordained decision” without considering its full statutory responsibilities.
He stressed that while presidents often appoint political allies to such boards, these members were not just figureheads. They were expected to fulfill their roles with “due care and some modicum of independence.”
Trump responded quickly to the ruling, expressing frustration and stating that if he couldn’t act freely on the Kennedy Centre, he wanted nothing to do with it. He claimed the building posed safety risks, citing issues like rotting beams and collapsing parking areas. “Judge Cooper should be ashamed of himself!” Trump said on Truth Social.
He further argued that the Kennedy Centre was in a state of decline and accused the judge of ignoring critical concerns. “Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this Institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into ‘NEVER NEVER LAND’,” he stated.
The Kennedy Centre, located on the banks of the Potomac River near the Watergate building, has long been a cultural hub for opera, musical theatre, ballet, and other performing arts in the US capital. Trump described it as “dying,” “losing,” and “failing” in his post, suggesting that Democrats prioritized opposing him over saving the institution.
The legal challenge was initiated by Ohio Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, who is a member of the Kennedy Centre’s board due to her congressional position. In a statement following the ruling, Beatty emphasized that the Kennedy Centre belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump.
Her legal team praised the decision, calling it a “powerful blow against the Trump administration’s corruption.” They highlighted the importance of ensuring that the institution remains accessible and protected from personal interests.
While the board could still decide to close the Kennedy Centre, Cooper noted that any future decision would need to be made independently, balancing the institution’s obligations prudently.
